Department of Justice

McKenzie Man Sentenced to 10 Years Imprisonment for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm in Connection with a Felony Drug Offense

Jackson, TN – Robert Hutchinson, Jr. 45, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on September 23, 2016, a Carroll County Sheriff’s deputy executed a traffic stop on a 2002 red Saturn near Dollar General in Trezevant, TN. When asked for identification, Hutchinson told the officer he had left everything at home on the table. When asked for his name, Hutchinson gave the officer a false name – which was the name of another individual whom the officer happened to know. Hutchinson was asked out of the vehicle and patted down for officer safety. Officers located a 9 mm Beretta pistol in Hutchinson’s pocket, along with twelve bags of suspected methamphetamine and marijuana.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "As a convicted felon in possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, the defendant in this case presents a danger to public safety in multiple ways. The statutory maximum sentence imposed in this case achieves justice by removing him from the community, and makes West Tennessee a safer place. If you are a dangerous felon with a firearm who is selling poison, you will be held accountable."

On April 24, 2018, the Honorable S. Thomas Anderson, Chief Judge, United States District Court, sentenced Hutchinson to the statutory maximum sentence of 10 years incarceration and 3 years supervised release. His sentence included a sentencing enhancement for possessing the firearm in connection with another felony offense, which was the possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

Carroll County Sheriff Andy Dickson stated, "I appreciate the cooperation between the federal prosecutors, FBI, and local officers in getting career criminals off our streets."

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

This case was investigated by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, 24th Judicial Violent Crime and Drug Task Force; and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, who have all worked jointly to address gun-related crimes through aggressive investigation and prosecution.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Eskridge prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf.